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Archive November 2025
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AHPA leads coalition to protect consumer access to herbal tinctures in New Hampshire
- By: AHPA
- On: 11/25/2025 16:55:09
- In: Regulation / Legislation
November 25, 2025
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is spearheading a growing coalition to address a significant and immediate crisis facing the availability of alcohol-based herbal tinctures and liquid extracts in New Hampshire. Due to a lack of clarity in state law, representatives of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) have demanded removal of these products from the shelves of numerous New Hampshire retailers. Initially brought to AHPA's attention by a concerned member, this issue requires swift and direct action.
AHPA has developed and proposed specific legislative language that distinguishes herbal tinctures and liquid extracts marketed as dietary supplements from NHLC-regulated liquor. This legislative solution would align New Hampshire's regulatory practice with established federal dietary supplement regulations and the practices of other states.
AHPA has shared its legislative proposal directly with the office of New Hampshire State Senator Tara Reardon, who is leading the legislative effort. AHPA has also encouraged the NHLC to exercise immediate and reasonable enforcement discretion until the New Hampshire state legislature can enact the necessary technical corrections.
“We extend our gratitude to Senator Reardon and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission for their ongoing engagement as all parties work toward a timely, mutually satisfactory solution that protects and supports consumers and businesses in New Hampshire,” said Graham Rigby, AHPA President & CEO and proud New Hampshire resident. “In addition, we are deeply thankful to our AHPA members and the wider herbal community for the passionate grassroots support we have already seen.”
Upon learning of the issue, AHPA brought together its members and other stakeholders from the wider herbal community, forming a coalition that has already sprung into action. In outreach to Senator Reardon, concerned constituents and industry members have called upon Senator Reardon to support AHPA’s legislative amendment.
AHPA invites all concerned parties — from industry stakeholders to consumers — to support AHPA’s efforts to protect access to alcohol-based herbal tinctures and liquid extracts in New Hampshire. Join the ongoing outreach campaign by contacting Senator Tara Reardon directly to express your concerns and voice your support for AHPA’s legislative amendment.
AHPA is committed to leading this growing coalition until a favorable resolution is achieved, ensuring that New Hampshire businesses can compliantly serve their customers without interruption.
Administration provides tariff relief for certain botanical ingredients
November 18, 2025
As part of an Executive Order issued November 14, the administration has revised and expanded the set of commodities in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) that are exempt from reciprocal tariffs. These changes, reflected in updates to “Annex II” and “Annex III,” partially target commodities that cannot be sourced within the United States.
Of particular note, many tea and spice commodities in Chapter 9 of the HTS that were previously in Annex III are now in Annex II and fully exempt from the reciprocal tariff regime. Also subject to relief were certain coffee and tea extracts under Chapter 21. These include major naturally unavailable commodities that have been at the core of American Herbal Products Association’s (AHPA) trade relief advocacy, including green and black tea (Camellia sinensis), cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric.
The revisions to the code were retroactively applied to goods “entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption” on or after November 13, 12:01 AM Eastern time. The order clarifies that refunds are available through standard methods for goods for which duties were already collected.
“It appears that our advocacy, specifically regarding cinnamon and turmeric, has resonated with policymakers,” said Robert Marriott, AHPA Vice President of Government & Regulatory Affairs. “We’re thankful for this relief from tariffs on unavailable natural resources, which benefits both American businesses and the health of Americans. Numerous other herbal goods that cannot be grown within our borders are also in need of tariff relief.”
Copies of the newly updated Annex II and Annex III are now available from the AHPA Tariff Toolkit, as well as an updated document showing which major herbal tariff codes are impacted by the changes.
AHPA will continue its advocacy seeking tariff relief for herbal products that cannot be sourced from the United States in quantities necessary to meet demand.
Nominations for the 2026 AHPA Awards now open
November 10, 2025
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to invite members to nominate standout individuals and organizations in our community for the 2026 AHPA Awards. First presented in 2006, the 2026 AHPA Awards mark 20 years of recognizing individuals and organizations for making positive and substantive contributions to the herbal and natural products industry.
2026 AHPA Award Categories
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Nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form by 11:59pm PT on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, to be considered. Please note the deadline will not be extended.
After the nomination period closes, nominees will be reviewed by members of the AHPA Communications Committee, which represents a diverse group of industry stakeholders. The AHPA Communications Committee recommends recipients for each award category and presents these recommendations to the AHPA Board of Trustees for approval.
Winners will be notified in January 2026, and AHPA Awards will be presented at the AHPA Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA.
More information about the awards, including a list of previous winners, is available here.
AHPA to launch working group on tinctures
November 5, 2025
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is forming a new working group on tinctures. Tinctures are one of the most popular and time-honored form factors for consumers seeking to incorporate herbs and herbal ingredients into their personal health and wellness routines.
The new AHPA working group will serve as a dedicated forum for industry stakeholders to address technical, quality, and regulatory matters unique to the tincture category. By fostering a unified approach, AHPA aims to ensure the continued responsible commerce, appropriate regulatory classification, and consumer availability of herbal tinctures nationwide.
“Tinctures represent a fundamental and effective delivery system for many herbal ingredients, and they have been a staple of traditional and modern herbalism for centuries,” said Graham Rigby, AHPA President & CEO. “AHPA is committed to ensuring that the industry continues to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and accurate information regarding the production and labeling of these concentrated liquid extracts.”
“Supporting responsible commerce requires proactive engagement on issues that impact popular consumer product formats,” said Robert Marriott, J.D., AHPA VP of Regulatory & Government Affairs. “This working group provides a vital platform for AHPA members and other industry leaders to share expertise, align best practices, and work collaboratively to support the integrity and availability of herbal tinctures across the market.”
The AHPA Tincture Working Group will hold its first meeting virtually on Friday, November 14, at 10-11am PT / 1-2pm ET. Participation is open to AHPA members as well as other industry stakeholders with interest. Register to receive the Zoom meeting details.
AHPA Chief Science Officer receives Women In Nutraceuticals Guiding Star Award
November 4, 2025.jpg)
From left: WIN Awards Chair Petra Erlandson (Alkemist Labs); Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D. (AHPA); Emily Britton, Ph.D. (USP); and Amber Bennett (AHPA)
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to announce that Chief Science Officer Holly E. Johnson, Ph.D., was honored with the Guiding Star Award by Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) at the awards ceremony during the WIN Gender Equity Networking Reception at SupplySide Global in Las Vegas last week.
The WIN Guiding Star Award celebrates an extraordinary individual who has been instrumental in mentoring and elevating women within the nutraceuticals industry. Dr. Johnson, a recognized leader in herbal and analytical science, was selected for her dedication to fostering the next generation of female scientists and industry professionals.
"I’m truly honored and humbled to receive the WIN Guiding Star Award," said Dr. Johnson. "Supporting, and learning from, the incredible women in our industry — like Dr. Emily Britton and so many others — has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. Their passion and curiosity continually remind me why mentorship matters. As a woman in science who struggled coming up in a well-fortified boys club environment, it was natural for me to want to engage with younger women scientists and encourage broader inclusion of their voices in industry discourse. Thank you to WIN for acknowledging the value of women helping each other by creating this award.”
The WIN Awards program is designed to celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of those who champion gender equity, drive research innovations, excel in mentorship within the nutraceutical sector, and demonstrate outstanding business acumen, pioneering vision, and a commitment to advancing women’s leadership in the industry. Each award category has been designed to reflect the core mission of WIN: to empower women and foster an inclusive, supportive environment where their talents and contributions can thrive.
In addition to Dr. Johnson, WIN Award recipients for 2025 include:
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WIN Champion: Heather Wainer, Publisher/Chief Business Officer, WholeFoods Magazine
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WIN Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristina Hall, President & Owner, True Grace
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WIN Research Pioneer: Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Women In Nutraceuticals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on unlocking the professional and personal potential of women. The organization is igniting a movement to build support for women across the nutraceutical supply chain to help increase the percentage of women holding leadership roles, funding for female-led businesses, and women’s participation in research. All programs are guided by our core values. Connect with WIN on LinkedIn.
